Wednesday 16 July 2014

Begum Akhtar

There have been many good ghazal singers in India and Pakistan, but Begum Akhtar ( 1914-1974) is generally regarded superior to all of them ( just as Mirza Ghalib is generally regarded as superior to all Urdu poets ). I have referred to her in my post on Barrister Abbasi, who married her.
Begum Akhtar not only sang ghazals but also other kinds of light Hindustani music like thumri ( the serious form is known as khyaal, which i have referred to in my post on North Indian Hindustani music).
So please hear the bewitching voice of Begum Akhtar.

Some of her ghazals: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFoI4tNIch0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ0iWPWV-O0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzq1rpuFMig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpmKZPJe7l4

2 comments:

  1. "just as Mirza Ghalib is generally regarded as superior to all Urdu poets"

    Except perhaps by the man himself, who says instead:

    रेख़्ता के तुम ही उस्ताद नहीं हो ग़ालिब,
    कहते हैं अगले ज़माने में कोई मीर भी था।

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